Press Release

Red Cross warns of increasing number of floods in Africa

2 October 2007

In the past few years there has been a sharp rise in the number of flood emergencies in Africa responded to by the Red Cross, and further flooding is likely to continue to devastate communities in the months to come, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Encho Gospodinov, acting director of the policy and communications division at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, stated: “Red Cross Red Crescent disasters statistics show a worrying rise in the number of flood emergencies dealt with by volunteers across the African continent. Action must be taken if we want to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions.”

The Red Cross and Red Crescent, including the British Red Cross, is currently responding to the worst floods experienced in East and West Africa for three decades.

Africa flood statistics

Encho explained: “Between 2004 and 2006, the number of floods operations in Africa jumped from just five to 32 and already, by mid September 2007, stood at 42.”

He continued: “The number of ‘medium-size’ flood operations - those affecting more than 25,000 people - rose from two in 2005 to seven in 2006 and has already reached 14 by 20 September 2007. In the meantime, the number of Red Cross and Red Crescent responses to smaller scale flood operations – those affecting fewer than 25,000 people - also rose sharply from four in 2004 to 25 in 2006 and has already reached 28 to date.”

Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies are often the only organisations responding to smaller floods, as they have trained volunteers who live in the communities affected. Encho said: “These ‘neglected’ disasters do not hit the headlines. But the suffering of those affected - people who have lost not only their homes and belongings, but their crops and livestock as well – is just as real.”

Encho noted that the increase in flooding is consistent with the predictions of climate change analysts and that experts at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in The Hague believe climate change will consequently continue to increase the risk of flooding in Africa.

Latest Africa flooding

Torrential rain has devastated many communities across East and West Africa this summer. More than a million people in 18 countries have been affected, with thousands displaced and massive damage to crops and livestock leading to fears of food shortages.

The British Red Cross is appealing for donations to support emergency relief work for flood-affected communities.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is providing emergency relief to all the affected countries, delivering relief items including shelter, kitchen sets, blankets and water purification tablets. The Red Cross Movement is also providing water and sanitation, health services and hygiene promotion to those in crisis.